The main highway through the Garden Route runs parallel to a coastline that features fresh-water lakes, vast mountains, tall indigenous forests, amber-coloured rivers and white sandy beaches. Meandering trails are followed by hikers and the lakes and rivers lend themselves to swimming, boating and fishing.

Known as South Africa’s ‘Garden of Eden’, this coastal drive links a series of charming towns interspersed with natural beauty and astounding views. Along the way, every kind of adventure activity is possible, including mountain biking, abseiling, scuba diving, fishing and more. The Tsitsikamma National Park is one of South Africa’s most dramatic protected areas, combining marine and land attractions. It is very easy to combine the Garden Route with an African safari: at the Garden Route’s easterly end is the Eastern Cape province – beautiful malaria-free, Big Five safari country with luxurious lodges.